Parramatta under smoke

Fortunately I live nowhere near the bush fire areas, and am very happy not having to show you photos of the smoldering remains of my home. And since I don't work in the city, I also don't have any pictures of Sydney icons like the Harbor bridge or the opera house covered in smoke, or Bondi Beach under an eerie yellow-ish sky.

Still, even without any famous landmarks, the thick clouds of smoke made for a dramatic view; and so, here are some of my pics from Thursday, October 17, 2013:

Looking north on O'Connell Street, Parramatta


Looking east, towards the center of Parramatta


Looking west, from the rooftop car park of the Westfield shopping center


Looking north, from the rooftop car park of the Westfield shopping center

Wentworthville fire

A few pictures from the site of the building explosion and subsequent fire in Station Street, Wentworthville.

For the Before situation, please check out Google Street View.

Anyway, here's what it all looked like yesterday (the day after the event):

"

"

"

Wet

The heavy downpour is more than the drains can handle


Parramatta river is flooding its banks

Oops

I'm the first to admit that I don't even have a shadow of a clue what the solution to Sydney's notorious perpetual traffic congestions might be, but stacking the cars probably isn't it.

Power Outage

While out to do some more time lapse experimenting (I admit it's really quite addictive), I found that my camera's battery seems well and truly to be quitting on me. The reassuring "fully charged" indicator turns out to be nothing more than an evil deception, as it quickly changes to "completely depleted", shutting down the camera after little more than 100 shots.

So, my Sydney Harbor vision turned out significantly shorter than planned; but for what it's worth, enjoy.



Pending the purchase of a new battery, and weather permitting, I intend to go back to Milsons Point and give it another go.

Still, all is not lost; while I was there, I did manage a decent shot of the Opera House in the warm light of the late afternoon sun.

Meanwhile, in the neighborhood ...

The things you come across on a Sunday morning .... now I've seen cars overheating before, but this is ridiculous.